Whole Wheat Spinach Artichoke Pizza

Um, so instead of Tuesday morning this is a Tuesday evening post. Mostly because I’m lazy, but also because I’ve had a sick, whiny kid on my hands. We went to the doctor today and found out she has an ear infection. Poor thing! It’s antibiotics for her for the next 10 days now. Also, my phone just decided to quit working. I couldn’t receive (or make) any calls because the speaker apparently went out on it. For some reason, it started working again this evening (thank goodness, because my upgrade date isn’t until November!). On top of that the house is a wreck and we have company coming tomorrow.

It’s been one of those days weeks. I guess this is when you give up your high expectations and settle for “good enough.” I am so thankful that God has kept us all safe and (basically) healthy, reminding me that I don’t need to worry about the small things.

On to the food:

I’ve been on a pizza kick lately. Ok, I’ll be honest, I’m always on a pizza kick. I don’t know if I have ever not wanted pizza. (Actually, there was some time while I was pregnant that I didn’t crave pizza.) We’ve had pizza at least 3 times this week. I think I’m even starting to get tired of it (did I just say that?). At least it’s all been homemade, so it’s a little healthier than the take-out version.

Ever since I got my amazing KitchenAid Mixer, I love to make pizza because it is so easy and I don’t have to knead it (the mixer does that for me).

I think the crust is essential to a good pizza. I love hot, take-out pizza (come on, who doesn’t?) and for the longest time, still much preferred that to my homemade version. There was just something about the crust, sauce, etc, of my homemade version that didn’t quite seem like authentic pizza to me.

However, I’ve completely changed my tune. I love homemade pizza and prefer it over delivery since you can perfectly customize it, and it’s way easier on my stomach. This crust is perfect and chewy just like it should be. The sauce tastes aaamazing (again, a good sauce recipe is a must on a homemade pizza), and the toppings are delicious and healthy.

Don’t let the list of ingredients and instructions scare you away, it’s really easier than it looks. (Plus you can always take a shortcut and buy pizza sauce and pizza dough – in the deli section in my grocery store – if you are running low on energy!)

For the crust:
1. In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine yeast and warm water (follow the directions on the yeast – usually needs to be between 100-110°F). Add in honey and stir to combine. Let yeast rest, “proof”, for 5-10 minutes, or until you can tell its rising.
2. Add the whole wheat flour, oil, and salt. Stir til combined. Gradually add the rest of the flour until the dough forms a ball and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. (I wait til about this time to use my stand mixer, so I can just put the dough hook on it.) Once dough is no longer sticky (as in, forms a ball and slightly springy, but doesn’t stick all over your hands when you touch it), set the mixer on the highest setting allowed for your dough hook and let the mixer “knead” it for 6-8 minutes. (On the professional KitchenAid, the highest setting you’re supposed to use for bread is 2).
3. Remove the dough from the bowl, lightly grease it, then place the dough back in the bowl and spray the top with nonstick spray. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled. (In the summer, my laundry room stays hot so I let dough rise in there. When it’s cool or I’m in a time pinch, I turn my oven to the lowest setting -170°- let it preheat, then turn it off and set the timer for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, I put my bowl of dough in the oven on top of a cookie sheet. Usually this makes it double in 30-45 minutes.)For the sauce:
4. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-low until hot. Add garlic and saute for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Add spices and stir until combined. Add tomato sauce, paste, and water. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes – 1 hour. (If you don’t have this much time, that’s fine. I’ve used mine after only 5 minutes of simmering. It just tastes better the longer it’s simmered.)To assemble the pizza:
5. (I highly recommend using a pizza stone for “crustiness”). Place your pizza stone in the oven and preheat oven to 500°. You want your pizza stone to gradually warm up with the oven and be HOT when you put your pizza on it. This helps the texture of the crust. If you have a little more time, leave the stone in the preheated oven for at least 10 minutes before baking your pizza to make sure it’s hot.
6. Meanwhile, once the dough has risen, liberally flour a cutting board and roll out dough in a circle (or square, or hexagon, or whatever). I try to get mine fairly thin because otherwise it will be super thick. Transfer dough to a piece of parchment paper the same size as your pizza stone. (You may need to roll it out again a bit.)
7. Top dough with pizza sauce, leaving about 1 inch free around the edges for the crust. I usually use 1/2- 3/4 cup of sauce, but it all depends on how much you like sauce! Add spinach, artichoke, basil, mushrooms, and tomato. Top liberally with mozzarella cheese.
8. Transfer pizza to stone and bake in a preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. (I just use the parchment paper and slide my pizza off the cutting board and onto the hot stone.)

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Comments

That looks wonderful! During the school year, we usually have pizza every Friday night to kick off the weekend. We haven’t had it much this summer, but you’ve made me think we may need to bring back our pizza Friday’s!

I’m sorry you are having such a tough week..I’ll be praying for your daughter’s quick recovery! I would never get tired of pizza! But then again, I’ve never had it 3 times a week ;). The crust is everything to me, and while I have a recipe for whole wheat crust, I’m going to have to check this out. I love making dough at home! Thanks for sharing, And if your house is not ready for company today, don’t sweat it…they will understand as soon as they see your sick daughter ;).

You are going to have to teach me how to make your pizza when you come next week!! You make the BEST pizza we have ever had!! We love it! Dad says he likes your pizza better than any pizza he has eaten!! Love you!